Cage for mining-cars.



Patented Nov. 25,I902.

w.- Towens. CAGE Fon mums GARS.

l (Application filed June 2, 1902.\

(No Model.)

2 Sheets-Sheet l..

WITVSSES /r 110,714,252. Patented Nov. 25, |902.` w.TowEns.

CAGE FUR MINING CRS.

(Application led June 2. 1902.

` (No Model.)

"NiTED Tar-ns irren.

Artnr CAGE FOR MINING-"CARS` SPECIFICATION forming' :part of Letters Patent No. 714,262, dated November 25, 1902.

Application filed June Z, 1902. Serial No. 109,988. (No model.)

To all whom it rita/y concern:

Beit known that I, WILLIAM TOWERS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Murphyslooro, in the county of Jackson, State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inOages for Mining-Cars, of which the following isa specication, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to a cage for miningcars, and more particularly to a construction wherein a descending elevator automatically operates means for releasing a loaded car from a receiving-platform, so that the same may contactwith and remove an empty car from the elevator.

The invention has for an object to provide a novel construction of pivoted platform which is inclined in the descending movement of the elevator and provided with lan automatically-operated retaining-dog, which is released as the platform is inclined, so that the car upon the platform rolls forward upon the elevator, pushing the car previously on the elevator therefrom.

A furtherobject of the invention is to provide an' improved construction of automatically-operated dog for engaging the wheels of the car upon the elevator, which dog is automatically released as the elevator descends into alinement with an adjacent track, so as topermit the removal ofthe car upon the elevator while the dog is again engaged with the wheels of another car after the passage ofthe unloaded car from the elevator.

Afurther object of the invention is to provide a novel construction of dogs for the retaining and cagin'g operations, so arranged as to be automatically operated to accomplish tion on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2.` Fig. a is a sectional elevation of the elevator-cage, cagingdog thereon, and trip mechanism cooperating with said dog. Fig. 5 is a vertical section on the line 5 5 of Fig. 4E. Fig. 6 is'a similar view of the dash-pot used in connection with this invention, and Fig. 7 a detail of one of the caging-dogs upon the elevator.

Like letters of reference refer to like parts in the several gures of the drawings.

The letter A indicates an elevator-cage of any suitable construction supported and operated by a cable connection A and provided at its lowerportion with a platform A2, having suitable tracks O3 thereon, adapted to receive the bearing-wheels of a mining-car A3, of any desired construction. At one side of this elevator-cage a receiving-platform B is pivotally mounted-for instance, upon a foundation B-by means of a bearing B2 and is provided upon its upper surface with tracks or rails O, in alinement with those upon the elevator-cage. The end B3 of this platform is of greater weight than the end B4, so that the platform is normally retained in a horizontal position, as shownby full lines in Fig. l, with the end B3 resting' upon a suitable support B5, so that the rails C thereof are in alinement with similar rails O upon an adjacent surface. At the opposite side of the elevator tracks or rails C2 are arranged upon a surface in a lower plane than the rails C and adapted to be in alinement with the rails C3 upon the elevator-cage when the latter is lowered to its position of rest upon the support O4.

For the purpose of tilting one end of the pivoted receiving-platform B, which is adapted to receive a loaded car A3, a projecting plate D is secured to the end Bi of the platform and extends beneath the elevator-platform A2, so as to loe carried downward thereby, thus inclining the parts into the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. l when the elevator has reached its point of rest. In order to release the loaded car heldupon the loaded elevator at this time, the retaining-dog E therefor must he actuated to withdraw it from contact with the wheels ofthe car, and for this purpose a link D is pivotally connected to the free end of the plate D and to one end of a lever D2, mounted upon a fixed support D3, the opposite end of which is pivotally connected to toggle-levers D4, as shown in Fig.

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3. The ends of these toggles are similarly pivoted to the depending lever ends E', eX- tending downward below pivots E2 of the retaining-dogs E, which dogs are provided with an inwardly deflected curved portion E2, forming a shoe to engage the periphery of the wheel upon the car. It will thus be seen that a downward movement of the plate D causes an upward movement of the inner end of the lever D2, thus throwing the toggle-levers D4 into the position shown by dotted lines in Fig. 3, and removes the shoes E2 of the dogs from the wheels, so that the incline of the platform carries the car by gravity into contact with the car upon the elevator, which has at this time been released by means to be hereinafter described.

For the purpose of preventing a sudden movement of the platform B into an inclined position a dash-pot F is provided, as shown in detail by Fig. the cylinder of which is filled with oil or any suitable liquid, and the piston-rod F thereof is provided with the usual packed piston F2, having a small aperture therethrough. rlhe free end of the piston-rod is pivotally secured to the end of the platform, and the by-pass F3 extends from one end of the cylinder to the other and is provided with a check-valve F4 opening inwardly toward the cylinder. It will thus be seen that in the downward movement of the piston the liquid gradually passes vthrough the small opening in the piston and permits an easy downward movement of the platform upon which the loaded weight of a loaded car is usually supported, while the by-passqpermits a quick return of the platform toa horizontal position as soon as the elevator-cage is removed from contact therewith. It will be observed that an interlocking joint is formed between the tracks C'and C3 at their meeting end, so that no break or obstruction is formed when the parts are in an inclined position which would be liable to cause a derailment of the car.

For the purpose of securely retaining a car A2 upon the elevator-platform caging-dogs G are provided, which embrace one or both of the wheels and are pivotally mounted at G', while the lower lever ends G2 thereof are connected by rods G2 with crank-arms G4, carried by the shaft G5, extending longitudinally beneath the platform A2. This shaft also carries a weighted arm G6 for automatically throwing and holding the dogs G in contact with the car-wheels, and the said dogs are released, as shown by dotted lines .in Fig. 5, by an upward movement of this weighted arm. For the purpose of producing this upward movement any desired means may be used; but a trip-block H is here shown, which in the position shown by full lines in Fig. 4 engages and raises the weighted arm G6 to release the dogs from the Wheels and permit the car to be moved from the cage into the position shown by dotted lines. .This trip-block is provided with a seat throws the caging-dog into engagement with the wheels of the car which has now passed from the platform B onto the eleva-` tor-cage. The parts are now in position to raise the elevator and car thereon, while an` other loaded car is moved upon the platform for automatic operation in the return of the elevator. In the event that the caging-dog G is not thrown fully out of the plane of the approaching Wheels of the car from the platform an inclined end portion G7 is provided, which by contact with the wheels throws the dog laterally and permits the car to pass into proper position to be caged on the elevator.

The operation of the several parts of the invention will be apparent from the foregoing description, and it will be noted that when the parts are in the position shown by full lines in Fig. l a further downward movement of the elevator-cage will tilt the platform and automatically release the dogs upon the platform and the elevator, so that the car from the platform moves forward by gravity, pushing the car off the elevator and taking its place thereon. The car leaving the elevator immediately operates the tripblock through its lever, permitting the caging-dog to at once engage and hold the car in a proper position upon the elevator. It will thus be seen that the loading and unloading of the car is entirely automatic, and the only labor required is the placing of the car upon the platform and the removal of the car after it has left the elevator, thus preventing all danger of accidents and injury to employees in handling cars upon elevator-cages which may be in movement at the time. It will also be seen that the automatic operation of the dogs are capable of application in other connections than the particular re- IOO IIO

lation of parts here shown, as the automatic operation is capable of use in connection with any form of apparatus.

It will be obvious that changes may be made in the details of construction and configuration of the invention without departing from the spirit thereof as defined by the appended claims.

Having described my invention and set forth its merits, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. In a device of the class described, an elevator, caging means for securing a car thereon, a platform at one side of said elevator, a retaining means for a car upon said platform, connections to be engaged by said elevator for automatically releasing said retaining means and caging means; and means actuated by the car leaving the platform to reenwgage the caging means with a following car;

substantially as'specified. t

2. Ina device of the class described, an elevator, caging means for securing a car thereon, Va platform at one side of said elevator, a retaining means for a car upon said platform,

connections to be engaged by said elevatorfor automatically releasing said retaining jmeans and caging means, and means for tiltforlautomatically releasing said retaining means and caging means, means for tilting said platform toward said elevator in the downward movementof thelatter, and means for permitting the rengagement of `the caging device upon the elevator after the latter has reached thedownward limit of its movei ment; substantially as specified.

4. In adevice of the class described, an elevator, caging means for securing a car thereon, a platform at one side of said elevator, a

retaining means fora car upon said platform,

connections to be engaged by said elevator for automatically releasing said retaining means and caging means, means for tilting said platform toward said elevator in the downward movement of the latter, means for permitting the rengagemeut of the cagingr device upon the elevator after the latter has reached the downward limit of its movement, and means beneaththe descending end of said platform for restraining the movement thereof; substantially as specified.

5. In a device of the classdescribed, an elevator, caging means for secu ring a car thereon, a platform at one side of said elevator, a retaining means for a car upon said platform, connections to be` engaged by said elevator for automatically releasing said retaining means and caging means, means for tilting said platform toward said elevator in the downward movement of the latter, `means for permitting the rengagement of the caging device upon the elevator after the latter has reached the downward limit of its movement, means beneath the descending end of said platform for restraining the movement thereof, and a trip-lever operated by a car for actuating said rengaging means; substantially as specified. f 1

6. In a device of the class described, an elevator-platform, a pivoted platform at one side i thereof having a projection to engage beneath said elevator, car-retaining means upon said pivoted platform automatically operated by the tilting thereof, and means for restoring saidplatform to `its initial position when the elevator-platform is out of engagement therewith; substantially as specified.

7. In a device of the class described, an elevator-platform, a pivoted platform at one side thereof having a projection to engage beneath said elevator, means for restoring said platform to its initial position when the elevatorplatform is out of engagement therewith, and a pivoted retaining-dog carried by said pivoted platform and movable away from the wheels ofa car thereon when one end of the platform is depressed; substantially as specified.

l8. In a device of the class described, an elevator-platform, a pivoted platform at one side thereof having a projection to engage beneath said elevator, means for restoring said platform to its initial position when the elevatorplatform is out of engagement therewith, a

pivoted retaining-dog carried by said pivoted platform and movable away from the wheels of a car thereon when one end of the platform is depressed, a @aging `dog to engage the wheels of a car upon said elevator-platform, and means for shifting said dogs out of engagement with said wheels when the elevator reaches its lowest position; substantially as specified.

9. In a device ofthe class described, an elevator-platform, a pivoted platform at one side thereof, a dash-pot having an apertured pis-` ton connected to the descending end of said pivoted platform, and a by-pass extending around the piston in said dash-pot and provided with a check-valve; substantially as specied.

10. In a device of the class described,an elevator, a pivoted platform at one side thereof, a projection from said platform to be engaged by said elevator in its downward movement, retaining-dogs pivotally mounted at the opposite side of said platform and having eX- tended lever ends, a pivoted operating-lever 'upon a fixed support, a link connecting one end of said lever with said platform, and toggle-levers extending from the opposite end of said lever to thelever ends 0f said dogs; substantially as specified. i

ll. In adevice of the class described,an elevator-platform having tracks thereon, a pivoted @aging-dog at one side of said tracks, a shaft disposed beneath said platform and provided with a crank-arm, a rod connecting the lower end of said dog and crankarm, a weighted arm carried by said shaft for normally throwing said dog toward said track IOO IIO

and a movable support independent of the platform to temporarily engage said weigh ted arm stdastantially as specified.

l2. In a device of the class described,an elevator-platform having tracks thereon, a pivoted caging-dog at one side of said tracks, a shaft disposed beneath said platform. and provided with a lcrank-arm, a rod connecting the lower end of said dog and crank-arm, a weighted arm carried by said shaft formormally throwing said dog toward said track,

and means for shifting said weighted lever when the elevator is at its lowest position; substantially as specified. l

13. In a device of the class described, an elevator-platform having tracks thereon, a pivoted caging-dog at one side of said tracks, a shaft disposed beneath said platform and provided with a crank-arm, a rod connecting the lower end of said dog and crank arm, a weighted arm carried by said shaft for normally throwing said dog toward said track, means for shifting said weighted lever when the elevator is at its lowest position, and a lever for moving said supporting means to permit a return movement of the weighted lever after the elevator is at rest; substantially as specified.

14C. In afdevice of the class described, an elevator-platform having tracks thereon, a pivoted caging-dog at one side of said tracks, a shaft disposed beneath said platform and provided with a crank-arm, a rod connecting the lower end of said dog and crank-arm, a weighted arml carried by said shaft for normally throwing said dog toward said track,

means for shifting said Weighted lever when the elevator is at its lowest position, a lever for moving said supporting means to permit a return movement of the weighted lever after the elevator is at rest, a projection from said moving lever adapted to be engaged by a car, and means for restoring said-lever to its normal position; substantially as specified.

15. In a device of the class described, an elevator-platform, a pivoted dog mounted thereon, a lever for shifting said dog disposed beneath the platform, a sliding trip-block having its upper face adapted to engage and move said lever, a depressed seat to permit of said lever into a lowered position, a shifting lever projecting into the path of a car and pivoted at its lower end, and means for restoring said shifting lever; substantially as specified.

16. In a device of the class described, an elevator-platform provided with tracks, and a pivoted caging-dog adapted to move toward and from said tracks and provided at one end with a laterally-deflected flange extending vertically away from said tracks; substantially as specified.

17. In a device of the class described, an elevator-platform having a track thereon, pivoted caging -dogs at opposite sides of said track, a horizontally-disposed shaft supported beneath the platform and between the dogs, crank-arms extending from said shaft, rods connecting the lower end of said dogs with said cranks, and an operating-lever extended laterally from said shaft; substantially as specified.

18. In a device of the class described, an elevator-cage having a horizontally disposed platform thereon, a receiving-platform at one side thereof, adapted to be inclined at an angle to the plane of the cage-platform; and a discharge-platform at the opposite side thereof in a lower plane than the receiving-platform and in the plane of the cage-platform when at its lowest position; substantially as specified.

19. In a device of the class described, an elevator-cage having a horizontallydisposed platform, a receiving-platform at one side thereof, a discharge-platform at the opposite side thereof in a parallel lower plane, and means for automaticallyinclining the receiving-platform at an angle to the elevator-cage platform when the latter is in the plane of the discharging platform; substantially as specified.

20. In a device of the class described, an elevator-cage, a receiving-platform at one side thereof, a discharge-platform at the opposite side thereof in a parallel lower plane, means for automatically inclining the receivingplatform toward the elevator-cage when the latter is in the plane of the discharging-platform, and means for automatically releasing cars upon the receiving-platform and elevator-cage; substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM TOWERS.

Vitnesses:

E. J. BURNsTocK, H. C. RoBB. 

